VIA ESPN ESPN- A grand jury has declined to indict Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson following a police investigation sparked by lawsuits filed by 22 women who have accused him of harassment and sexual assault. The announcement on Friday came nearly a year after the first civil lawsuit was filed against Watson.
A grand jury in Harris County returned nine no bills on the nine criminal complaints presented to it. The grand jury process does not require a unanimous vote. According to prosecutor Johna Stallings, the criminal proceedings in Harris County have concluded.
“Today we presented nine criminal complaints for consideration by the grand jury. Beginning at 9 o’clock this morning, we presented evidence for over six hours for the grand jury to consider, as well as having witnesses available for those persons to testify in front of the grand jury,” said Stallings, division chief of adult sex crimes and trafficking at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. “And the grand jury considered all of that evidence and returned nine no bills against Deshaun Watson involving these nine criminal complaints. We respect the grand jury’s decision and … conclude the criminal proceedings in Harris County.”
Eight of the women who sued Watson filed criminal complaints against him with Houston police and appeared before the grand jury. Two other women who didn’t sue Watson also filed police complaints. The grand jury was presented with nine of those complaints. The FBI also had been reviewing the allegations.
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When you stand on the TRUTH, the LORD will FREE you! 🙏🏾
— Deshaun Watson (@deshaunwatson) March 11, 2022
The NFL continues to crush the news cycle. First, Calvin Ridley gambling $1500 on a game then Aaron Rodgers massive signing followed up by Russel Wilson being traded to the Seahawks and the Chargers fleecing the bears for Kalil Mack. Now Deshaun.
Big day for Watson and his football career. I am not here to point fingers at the guy, if a grand jury decided that no criminal charges were to be filed I trust their judgement.
This was an insane story the second it came out and only got wilder/uglier as more women came forward. However, Watson has been cleared of criminal charges in a court of law. However, Deshaun isn’t out of the woods yet, he could still be faced with civil charges and Rodger Goodell could still suspend him if he sees fit.
Watson has been linked to a shitload of NFL teams prior to this verdict so you know more teams will be in the mix. This begs the question will a team take a gamble on trading for him.
The list of teams that have made inquiries about Watson include the Carolina Panthers, the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the New Orleans Saints.
It would be a controversial trade due to his allegations but it wouldn’t be the first time an NFL team has chosen winning over morals.
This league.
